Shield Media Spring 2025 Magazine

SHIELD media

SPRING 2025 | VOLUME 25 ISSUE 2

NEW COURSE EXPLORES EFFECTS OF VIDEO GAMES ON THE MIND CHAPEL NAVIGATES CHANGE & HOPES TO IMPROVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

the independent student media of RCU

FROM THE EDITOR In this paradox of the world we live in, it seems the only constant is change.

With these changes, many emotions can be evoked: happiness and joy, fear and anticipation, grief and nostalgia. No matter what emotion, all of these fall somewhere along the spectrum of peace and chaos.

EMMA SADDLER

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

During the last four years, I have experienced many times of both peace and chaos — personally, academically and spiritually. As I approach graduation and the completion of my time at Rochester Christian University and Shield Media, I find myself yet again, in this space between peace and chaos.

Peace for the ending of a season, the closing of a chapter, the completion of a goal. Chaos for what comes next; where I will end up, and what I will do?

The stories showcased in this issue demonstrate both feelings and situations that represent peace and chaos. It is my sincere hope that as you read these stories, you will find that though we live in this place between peace and chaos — the very best moments in life happen in that tension.

MISSION STATEMENT ... Shield Media is the independent student media of Rochester Christian University.

As such, we are committed to engaging in thoughtful dialogue over issues relevant to our culture. Shield Media relates to our audience by providing them with bold stories that are intended to entertain, inform and stimulate.

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... Shield Media participates in Rochester Christian University’s faithbased mission, and believes that, as ethically minded journalists, we have a responsibility to engage each story with openmindedness, compassion and nuance.

... Along with Rochester Christian University’s Department of Communication and Media, Shield Media prepares young professionals for work in mediarelated fields by teaching and honing their skills in writing, reporting, graphic design, broadcasting, videography and photography.

... Shield Media is a student and not a university publication.

Views expressed are diverse, and of course, do not correspond to all views of Rochester Christian University’s board, administration, faculty, staff, students or other constituency.

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WALTERS HOPES TO HELP STUDENTS BECOME BETTER CITIZENS

NEW COURSE EXPLORES EFFECTS OF VIDEO GAMES ON THE MIND

CHAPEL NAVIGATES CHANGE & HOPES TO IMPROVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

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GUN LAWS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

WARRIOR WIRE: GEORGII RESHOTKA

MURRAY FINDS COMMUNITY & COMFORT AFTER FAMILY TRAGEDY

Cover design by Emma Saddler Cover art by Isabelle Goike

18 YOUR DATING APP EXPERIENCE

OUR TEAM EDITORS

STAFF

ADVISERS

EMMA SADDLER

Chandler Ellison Isabelle Goike Eli Hullinger Joshua Nauert Logan Pruden Allison Scott Dustin Smith Alex Steele Hannah Traczynski

Dr. Carol Cooper Lora Hutson Darren McCullough

Editor-in-Chief ISABELA PLACENCIA Content Team RACHEL MCCLEESE Content Team JAMES SAXINGER Podcast Team OLIVIA DUFFY Visual Team

WE WANT YOU! Earn a one-hour credit Tuesdays, 3:45-5 p.m.

Scholarships available All majors are welcome!

Shield@rochesteru.edu SHIELDMEDIA.ORG | 3

WALTERS HOPES TO HELP HIS STUDENTS BECOME BETTER CITIZENS Dr. James Walters, a trained historian specializing in Middle-Eastern Christianity, returned to Rochester Christian University in September 2024 to become dean of the School of Humanities and an associate professor of history.

Walters first worked at RCU from 2015-2020 when he taught courses for the Department of Theology and Ministry.

School of Humanities The School of Humanities includes the departments of English, interdisciplinary studies, communication and media, and theatre and music.

Walters said his primary goal for the School of Humanities is to “help everyone see the value of humanities-based education, not only for specific skills that humanities courses can develop (critical thinking, analysis, communication, etc.), but even more so as the foundation for a just, democratic society in which all people are allowed to flourish."

“I feel particularly called to the Christian liberal arts context, and I want to help all students—regardless of their major—become better citizens and more involved community leaders,” he said.

His teaching includes courses in history, geography and interdisciplinary studies.

Syriac expert Walters is a historian specializing in Christianity in the late ancient Eastern Mediterranean world, especially the history and literature of Syriac-speaking communities.

He earned his doctorate in the history of Christianity from Princeton Theological

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Drs. James and Naomi Walters with their sons Simon and Ezra.

ISABELA PLACENCIA

Editor

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Before taking on this role, Walters worked for the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, where he was the lead cataloger of Eastern Christian Collections. He was responsible for cataloging manuscripts (in digitized form) written in a variety of ancient languages, but especially Syriac manuscripts.

Dr. James Walters photo by Olivia Duffy

Seminary, his Master in Divinity and Master of Arts in New Testament from Abilene Christian University, and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Harding University.

The Syriac language is a Middle Eastern dialect of the Aramaic language. Syriac was “broadly spoken in the 3rd or 4th century and was the dominant language of Christians in the region prior to the rise of Islam when Arabic became the main language,” Walters said.

“The Christian tradition of speaking Syriac took root in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran; it continued as a liturgical language despite the change in dominant languages,” he said.

“Similar to Latin in the Catholic Church, people spoke Syriac in church services even if they did not speak it at home,” Walters said. For a frame of reference, he said the Chaldeans who go to the St. George Chaldean Catholic Church in Shelby Township are descendants of the groups who spoke Syriac.

Walters said he believes “language is crucial for culture and it's one reason why Syriac has survived this long. People felt this draw to continue to use this language because it connected them with something bigger even if they didn’t understand it.”

His studies have led him to many Middle Eastern countries, such as Egypt and Israel to see places mentioned in the Bible, as well as Greece and Italy in his undergrad program.

In Egypt, Walters bought a piece of genuine papyrus that now hangs on his office wall alongside a painting of a monastery map, an artistic depiction of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and his Princeton Theological Seminary diploma.

Antiquities As a historian, Walters has strong views about the importance of keeping artifacts in their ancestral homes.

As an example, he pinpoints the “The Parthenon Marbles” of Greece that were stolen by Englishman Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, in the 18th century. “They are now a major attraction in England’s British Museum but they belong in Greece,” he said. “Athens has an Archaeological Museum with a placeholder for the Parthenon Marbles.”

During a trip to Egypt when he was in college, Walters said his tour guide “loved to say that ‘there are more obelisks outside of Egypt than there are inside of Egypt.’ ” When Walters worked in his previous role cataloging manuscripts, he said those organizations never stole them.

Instead, camera crews were sent to film them for preservational purposes, which benefits the communities. “What’s important to me is that we weren’t stealing anything,” Walters said. “I’m very much against museum colonialist practices where artifacts are taken somewhere else and the same is true for manuscripts that have been stolen for centuries.”

Altogether Walters said the humanities is supposed to “help us make sense of our lives and help us see our shared sense of obligations to one another in community.”

Personal Walters is married to Dr. Naomi Walters, dean of the School of Theology and Ministry, and the couple have two children, Simon and Ezra. They have two cats — Shadow and Stormcloud — named for their dark grey fur, and a snake named Professor Snake.

James Walters (third from right) with his travel buddies in Egypt.

When he’s not teaching or researching, Walters said he enjoys biking on the many trails that Michigan has to offer and spending time with his family.

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NEW COURSE EXPLORES EFFECTS OF VIDEO GAMES ON THE MIND A new Psychology of Video Games honors course at Rochester Christian University is exploring psychological concepts from problem-solving to morality through the lens of video games.

Dr. Jessica Matyas, chair of the Department of Psychology and associate professor of psychology, teaches the Psychology of Video Games course. Matyas said she has Dr. Jessica Matyas teaches played video games since she the Psychology of Video was young but had not seen the Games class. | photo by connection between video Isabela Placencia games and psychology until she was in college. Matyas said she saw a friend’s addiction to video games while playing Final Fantasy as “he kept Thus, when planning this new course, Matyas compulsively stealing a pelt from a wolf,” said she had about seven pages of notes despite there being no reward. gleaned from her experiences playing different games.

Typically, video games give players opportunities to obtain items, aka “loot."

An accessible honors course These items may be traded for gold.

However, some items are more valuable than Although this is an honors course, Matyas others with some being worthless. In Matyas’ said she wanted it accessible to those friend’s case, he repeatedly stole a worthless unfamiliar with psychology. “I like to write item to satisfy his compulsions, making things in what's called common language, stealing his addiction. which means you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy science,” she said.

“Even now, when playing a game, I go ‘Oh, I see what the developers did there,’ ” Matyas Matyas accomplishes common language said. When playing The Witcher 3: Wild through lesson presentations filled with Hunt, Matyas said she noticed the trolley memes that reference gaming culture. In problem, a philosophical thought experiment Matyas’ lessons about problem-solving, she psychologists use to study morality. Phillipa refers to Fallout: New Vegas stat penalties Foot, a philosopher of ethics, created the for low-intelligence characters to explain trolley problem in 1967 to discuss the ethics crystallized and fluid intelligence. of sacrificing the life of one person to saving many individuals.

ISABELA PLACENCIA

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Editor

In Fallout New Vegas, an intelligence score of three or lower results in “caveman talk” dialogue options in the form of grunting and incomplete sentences.

The Fallout franchise requires players to decide on stats that will impact gameplay, including strength, perception, endurance, intelligence, agility and luck. These stats are known as S.P.E.C.I.A.L. As a reference to Fallout and Fallout 2, Fallout: New Vegas penalizes the player for low intelligence.

PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH THEORY OF THE MIND, WHICH REFERS TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT PEOPLE THINK DIFFERENTLY THAN US.

Therapeutic benefits of video games Besides using video games as a learning medium, Matyas also wanted to showcase the therapeutic benefits of video games.

For instance, Matyas said video game language can help people with depression accomplish “tedious tasks” by telling themselves they are performing “fetch quests,” which is when a video game tasks a character to collect certain items for them.

The low energy that may accompany depression can turn small tasks into monumental ones. Essentially, people struggling to fulfill their obligations can reframe their mindsets by labeling them as fetch quests. The change can make these chores more exciting and lighten the day.

Matyas said she wanted to show the positive side of video games since the field of psychology often blames video games for violence. “You can’t blame video games.

Science is too complex to whittle down hard questions to yes or no answers,” she said.

Sociocultural topics The Psychology of Video Games course also touches upon sociocultural topics relevant to the gaming industry. Specifically, Matyas’ Diversity, Gender and Representation lecture emphasizes the importance of accurate representation. The lecture indicates that “representation of one’s self in public figures” fosters a sense of self-worth.

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YOU CAN’T BLAME VIDEO GAMES. SCIENCE IS TOO COMPLEX TO WHITTLE DOWN HARD QUESTIONS Jericho Crawford & Shahd Ali Bakkar listen in the Psychology of Video Games class.

Matyas’ said talking about representation in video games can be “somewhat uncomfortable.” Her lessons highlight that even characters who are examples of positive representation have their shortcomings. Her lecture points to Final Fantasy's first playable black character, Barret Wallace of Final Fantasy 7, which came out in 1987.

Matyas said games often utilize Black characters as “the comic relief,” but Wallace strays away from that trope as he is a capable fighter and displays “excellent morality.” Unfortunately, Matyas said.

Wallace has some stereotyping of Black men, such as his vernacular and short temper.

Regarding gender, Matyas said store aisles were the origin of why the gaming industry advertised toward men more than women.

“Toy shops told Nintendo to pick a side for the Nintendo entertainment system,” Matyas said, as toy aisles were divided by gender— blue for boys and pink for girls. Nintendo picked blue even though its system was intended for everyone.

Media influence Altogether, Matyas said her goal is to give her students “a little more perspective on how much media influences us,” as she believes “people struggle with theory of 8 // SPRING

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TO YES OR NO ANSWERS

mind, which refers to the understanding that people think differently than us.”

She said modern games are “getting better at depicting people’s differences since characters act very human,” because they have their own fully formed beliefs and personalities.

“Players have to think about how they will respond to these diverse characters,” Matyas said. Additionally, improvements to gaming hardware enabled developers to implement diverse physical features: hair, skin tone, blemishes and eye color.

Influence of video games Jericho Crawford, a senior sport management major, said the course made him reflect on the influence of video games.

“I’m already starting to notice how games influence me and how my mind influences how I play,” Crawford said. “I also appreciate that games help me boost my critical thinking skills by allowing me to make decisions.”

Overall, the Psychology of Video Games course is geared toward people who enjoy playing video games and want to connect it with their minds' inner workings. Matyas said she hopes to offer the Psychology of Video Games course again in future semesters.

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CHAPEL NAVIGATES CHANGE HOPES TO IMPROVE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Shifting point requirements, location changes and the implementation (and later conclusion) of virtual attendance options have placed the topic of chapel in the limelight at Rochester Christian University over the last few years.

Amid these changes, students have voiced opinions and concerns relating to both the experience and content of designated chapel times throughout the year. Some students have expressed a feeling of not being represented in their particular Christian tradition, while others have voiced that the experience of chapel does not hold their attention — with a large percentage of attendees looking at their phones or talking among themselves.

With a range of diverse opinions about chapel, an exploration of how chapel content is created can be informative.

From Chapel to CL+W Designated chapel times have been a part of RCU since its inception, with a strong emphasis on spending time in community as a campus and engaging with God.

In its current state, chapel has evolved to be a part of a greater engagement initiative of Community, Life and Worship.

RCU’s Student Life webpage reads: “Community, Life + Worship is the program that houses chapel, intercultural and spiritual life…CL+W promotes interpersonal formation, intercultural awareness, spiritual formation, and a greater sense of vocation among our students.”

A holistic approach The emphasis on a more holistic approach to CL+W is intended to reach a larger demographic of students. This decision to expand opportunities came from many factors present among the student body.

The current student body is made up of approximately 70% athletes, 83% commuters, and a larger population of working students than in years past.

EMMA SADDLER Editor In Chief SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 9

CL+W opportunities To best fit this new demographic of students, CL+W was expanded to offer 100 opportunities to earn points that go beyond meeting in twice-weekly chapel services. These opportunities are formulated with the input of a committee made up of various RCU employees who represent different departments on campus. The committee was instituted by Brackney when she took on her current role in summer 2024.

“One of the things that the committee also does is help me come up with a (chapel) theme.… We all come together with different ideas based on things that we are noticing students are maybe interested in or themes that we feel would be beneficial for people,” Brackney said.

Chapel is NOT church Although chapel does exist as a time to pause and participate in the Christian tradition and identity of the university,

chapel and church are not synonymous.

“That’s something we’re very clear on from the programming side of things and is something we could probably talk a bit more about in chapel to help people understand that,” Brackney said. “Congregational life is just different than showing up to chapel and leaving…if people are wanting that real sense of community from a church…we’re happy to help them find a local church.”

Diverse backgrounds With nearly 30% of the student body identifying as Catholic, this year’s chapel services took on more of a liturgical presence, which Brackney noted would also share similarities with students who identify as Presbyterian or Lutheran.

Brackney cited this as an example of how the CL+W team is taking into consideration the traditions and familiar practices of the student body.

“We are so much more diverse in the backgrounds that we have represented within Christianity than we were when I first started working in Student Life…this is something I try to be mindful of, and I know I can do better about,” she said.

Brackney said she hopes chapel experiences provide opportunities for students to hear stories and perspectives from outside of their traditions.

“Because we are an institution of learning, you don’t have to always agree with what’s happening. We want you to think about things critically,” she said.

Dr. Katelyn Brackney with RCU students at a CL+W event.

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“While 30 minutes of chapel isn’t that much time, we have so many students who need that time to eat lunch before heading to work, or need that time to commute to their jobs from campus,” said Dr. Katelyn Brackney, assistant dean of students, intercultural and spiritual life.

Christian university does not mean everyone is Christian

their phone and not engage with people around them,” she said.

Over 10% of the current student body describes themselves as having no religious affiliation, according to institutional data.

Brackney also shared, “It’s really hard to care about planning chapels when the majority of people don’t want to be there, or are on their phones, or talking. I still believe that it is a good thing for us to do as a university. It’s an important part of our identity, so I continue to do it.”

“I think a lot about those students. That is one of the reasons why we moved to the CL+W program as opposed to just chapel.

You could earn all your points without ever going to chapel because we have so many opportunities,” Brackney said.

Additionally, Brackney said many students may have had negative experiences with church or Christianity in general.

“I recognize that there are lots of students that may or may not be Christian that have experienced church hurt or had a hurtful experience with Christianity…I know that even entering into a chapel space can be painful or frustrating,” she said.

Another factor is taking a look at why students choose to come to RCU. With student-athletes making up over half of the student body, it’s clear that “most students are coming here on a sports scholarship, not because we are a Christian university,” Brackney said.

However, Brackeny hopes the implementation of the CL+W program provides students with opportunities that allow them to feel safe and interested.

Brackney said for her, the question really is more about what needs to be done culturally on campus that will encourage students to want to set their phones aside for a while and engage with the people around them.

All in all, Brackney said, “Do you always want to? No. Is it always going to be your cup of tea? No. But hopefully here and there, there will be things you can find… whether you're agnostic, atheist, have experienced church hurt, or even if you’re all in on the Christian tradition, there are things we can learn from one another even if we don’t agree,” she said.

The door is open If you have questions, suggestions or feedback about chapel, Brackney says her door is always open.

“I would love to hear what people are wanting. My job is to be here for the students, and I want to provide meaningful opportunities,” Brackney said.

Addressing the phone problem In recent years, chapel services have taken on a more isolated feeling, with the majority of attendees choosing to be on their phones or talk to peers for the duration of the service.

Brackney equated this to a cultural shift on campus following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For whatever reason, people just feel a lot more entitled to just check out and be on

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GUN LAWS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES VARY BY STATE, SPARKING DEBATE

Staff

A recent security event at RCU highlights the importance of knowing about college campus gun laws, which vary widely in the United States, leading to ongoing debates about safety, Second Amendment rights, and the role of firearms in educational settings.

While some states allow concealed carry on campuses, others enforce strict bans, leaving many students and faculty members navigating a complex legal landscape.

At RCU in January, a student was found in possession of two handguns in his dormitory after another student reported an earlier incident in which he was shown a firearm in a campus parking lot.

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his return, according to an email sent out by Scott Samuels, dean of students. This incident underscores the significance of enforcing firearm prohibitions at universities and ensuring the safety of students and staff.

States that allow guns on campus Several states permit individuals with concealed carry permits to bring firearms onto college campuses. Supporters argue that this enhances personal safety and serves as a deterrent to violent crime.

Campussafetymagazine.com reports that states with campus carry laws include: Texas — Since 2016, licensed gun owners have been allowed to carry concealed handguns on public college campuses, with restrictions in certain areas such as dormitories and sporting events.

Utah — One of the first states to permit campus carry, Utah allows individuals with concealed carry permits to bring firearms to public colleges without university-imposed restrictions.

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HANNAH TRACZYNSKI

Colorado — Concealed carry is permitted on public campuses, but individual universities retain the authority to implement their own policies.

States that ban guns on campus Other states have enacted complete bans on firearms on college campuses, citing concerns over potential violence, accidental shootings, and increased anxiety among students and staff.

States with strict bans include: California — Firearms are generally prohibited on college campuses, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and specially approved individuals.

New York — Both public and private colleges ban firearms unless specific exemptions apply.

Illinois — Even individuals with concealed carry permits are prohibited from carrying guns on college campuses.

Some states, such as Ohio, Virginia and Arkansas, have mixed or restricted policies, which include leaving the decision to individual universities or having additional training before carrying on campus.

Michigan’s gun laws on campuses According to armedcampuses.org, Michigan.gov, and college handbooks, Michigan enforces strict regulations regarding firearms on college campuses. State law prohibits concealed carry in classrooms and dormitories, even for those with a concealed pistol license. However, open carry remains legal in some areas of public universities, though most institutions, including the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, prohibit firearms altogether.

Michigan Tech in Houghton has prohibited areas, such as university buildings and residence halls, but allows carrying in designated areas, such as the rifle and archery ranges and ROTC storage facilities.

At RCU, the student handbook states: Weapons & Hazardous Materials: For the safety of the campus community, students may not use or store any weapons or dangerous materials on themselves, in their rooms, or in vehicles parked on campus.

Prohibited Items: Firearms, spears, pellet or paintball guns, ammunition, knives with blades longer than 2.5 inches, slingshots, bows and arrows, martial arts weapons, swords, toys that could be mistaken for real guns, explosives, fireworks, flammable or hazardous materials are strictly prohibited.

Violations: Any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

The debate over campus carry Gun laws on college campuses remain a contentious issue. Advocates and opponents continue to argue over the implications of allowing firearms in educational environments.

As the debate over firearms on campuses continues, universities and lawmakers must balance safety concerns with constitutional rights. With laws and policies varying widely across the country, students should stay informed about their state’s regulations and their university’s specific policies regarding firearms on campus.

Other banned items at RCU RCU also prohibits other items that might raise eyebrows, including hoverboards air fryers waterbeds (seriously, who is bringing a waterbed to college?) and live trees.

You’ll also need to leave your: toaster George Foreman grill CO2 canisters including scuba equipment (no diving in Lake Norcentra, I guess), and halogen lamp at home.

If it heats up, burns or rolls away on its own, chances are RCU doesn’t want it in your dorm room.

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shares his RCU story in his own words.

I am an international student from Saint Petersburg, Russia. I am currently in my fifth year at Rochester Christian University, and I initially started in 2020 during the pandemic.

Some of my future plans include continuing to work in data analysis to get the necessary work experience. I could also see myself getting my master's degree in the near future.

Chasing dreams and building futures

The basketball program was another major factor that made me choose RCU. The team has always been like my second family with the constant support from my coaches and teammates. Being on the RCU basketball team played a significant part in my life.

Choosing the right college was a big decision as I was trying to pursue my dreams of playing college basketball. I was also looking for a place that would provide strong academics and a close-knit community, and this is how I ended up in Rochester.

I have always felt like RCU is a place where small class sizes and personal relationships with professors create opportunities to be ready for real-world experience. I am currently pursuing two majors in the IT field — Information Systems and Data Analytics.

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Georgii Reshotka, #12, with some of his varsity teammates on Media Day.

Support, growth, family and community My parents, Marina and Alexander Reshotka, are my role models. They have always been examples of dedication in achieving your life goals. Since I was a kid, they've taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and treating everyone with respect, and they have helped me become the person I am today. They have always supported me throughout my life, and I've always appreciated them for that.

The RCU community has always meant so much to me. I lived on campus for four years and stayed in the same room and building, which allowed me to meet many people.

Throughout my years, I was a part of different groups or activities. I used to work as a photographer in our independent Shield Media magazine. I also used to work as the resident assistant in one of the dorms.

For several years, I was a tutor in the ACE Lab, helping students overcome any challenges they might have with their classes. Overall, being a part of all these

Georgii Reshotka with his teammates at a recent game.

smaller communities allowed me to meet many people, build relationships, and feel included in the RCU community.

Creating lasting memories As a team, we went through highs and lows, wins and losses, but one of my favorite memories was made on the retreats that we had before a season. It was an opportunity for the whole team to get together, get to know each other personally, and truly bond.

Those retreats always brought us together and got us excited for the upcoming season.

There were some difficult aspects of being on the team. One of the worst feelings that I experienced was saying goodbye to seniors after our last game of the season.

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This year, I was a part of the senior class, and it was tough to say goodbye to the guys with whom I had gone through adversity throughout the year.

I will always treasure my teammates and. my time at RCU.

Georgii Reshotka with his family.

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Murray finds community & comfort after family tragedy

situation,” said Murray, who was named after his grandfather, who was a 72-year-old husband, father and grandfather. He owned Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck.

In a statement to the “Detroit Free Press” after the homicide, Murray said, “My grandfather was a man with a heart of gold, who treated all those around him with kindness and compassion. He has made a lasting impact with our family and community, and I’m beyond proud to call him my grandfather.”

After the tragedy, Murray explained that he had time to deal with his raw emotions shortly after the funeral when he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“What allowed me to push through that was realizing just how many people personally reached out to me and our family,” he said.

“We were shown so much care and love, and I was especially touched by just how many of our athletes and staff reached out to me.”

The community of not only athletes but also RCU as a whole creates a safe and supportive environment for those in times of need.

Grandfather Hussein Murray with his grandsons Hussein and Tarek.

Hussein Murray, RCU’s assistant athletic director of marketing and external relations, and his family suffered an unspeakable tragedy on Oct. 11, when his grandfather was murdered in his Rochester Hills home by two men posing as DTE workers, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. They were located and arrested late in the week after the crime occurred.

“It took me a couple of days to be able to really gather my thoughts and process the 16 // SPRING SHIELD

“Those small interactions can really add up and alter the outlook of a situation, and I had several moments where I just stopped and appreciated how many great people I’ve been surrounded by in my time at RCU,” Murray said.

RCU places a high priority on community, which is evident through practices such as reaching out to those suffering, counseling

ALLISON SCOTT Staff

opportunities, Community, Life and Worship offerings, Warriors Thrive, and many more on-campus support opportunities.

“No matter the odds, this campus always finds a way to be great. And that’s something everyone here should be proud of themselves for,” Murray said.

He credits RCU athletics, in particular, with supporting him. “There are so many people that I’d need to thank specifically. Hundreds of people, including probably hundreds of our athletes, reached out to me and offered their support,” he said. Speaking about the RCU athletic department, he describes the group as “an amazing bunch, that’s something I can say over and over.”

“I carry his name, and I’ve learned to realize what is really important to me in my life. My grandfather left behind an incredible legacy, and I want to do the same for my family and community someday,” he said.

In a time when people are increasingly isolated, Murray said, “The words, ‘I’m here if you need anything,’ can have more of an impact than you may realize. In some ways, that phrase may have saved my life.”

WHO WAS HUSSEIN MURRAY?

“Our family was overwhelmed with support.

A situation as dark and saddening as this might make you want to lose faith in community, but the people around us kept our faith reinforced,” he said.

Murray is honoring his grandfather today by cherishing every moment with his family, as he explained his grandfather loved nothing more than to be surrounded by loved ones.

PAGES DESIGNED BY ALLISON SCOTT Hussein Murray speaks in the Garth Pleasant Arena.

Hussein Abdu Murray was an immigrant from Lebanon. He owned businesses throughout the MetroDetroit area, opening and operating Gold and Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck in 1988. Hussein Abdu was a passionate family man, hosting his family for Sunday dinners and holidays at his Rochester Hills home. He was a father to three sons and a grandfather to 11 kids. He loved to garden and cook in his free time. Hussein Abdu left a lasting impact throughout the Hamtramck community and his home village in Lebanon.

— from RCU’s Hussein Murray

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Dating App‌ In our increasingly digital world, it’s no wonder that we can find nearly everything we’re looking for online — including love.

Well, maybe.

We surveyed RCU students and asked them to share some of their experiences with dating apps.

“I haven’t had a success story or horror story but I have learned a lot of new pickup lines.”

— RCU Sophomore

Here is what we found...

“I was once ghosted at a coffee shop and was left with the bill. This turned me off to the app I was using and I ended up not dating for a while.”

“I put on my profile that a nonnegotiable for me was being open to being a foster parent...someone sent me a like and then asked me "Is it because you're sterile?’ ” — RCU Senior 18// SPRING SHIELD

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— RCU Junior

“A friend of mine went on a Hinge date and the guy she was with bought her something at store they walked through on their date. Afterwards, Venmo requested her for the money for the shoes and then he ghosted her.”

— RCU Senior

“After a date with someone I met on an app, I rejected a guy but I did it nicely and in person. I just said that I wasn't interested but I had a good time.... He got really upset and said that I was ‘patronizing him.’ I got out of his car and he sped off and that was the last I ever heard from him or saw him.”

— RCU Junior

Dating Data‌ “Men are somewhat more likely than women to have tried online dating (34% vs. 27%)” “Some 46% of online dating users say they‌‌ have used Tinder.”‌ Data from www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/02/keyfindings-about-online-dating-in-the-u-s/

“They always turn out weird.”

— RCU Senior

“I met him. It was very awkward but overall he was a nice guy.”

— RCU Freshman

“Deleted the app for months after losing hope. Randomly decided to get back on it for fun with no expectations.

I sent a like to one of the first profiles I saw. Instantly hit it off. We've been together ever since.”

— RCU Senior

WHO’S USING WHAT?‌ “One-in-10 partnered adults — meaning those who are married, living with a partner or in a committed romantic relationship — met their current significant other through a dating site‌‌ or app.”‌ SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 19

The EVENTS we’ll remember The PEOPLE we’ll never forget The STORIES we’ll retell

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